Completed Event: Volleyball versus Pepperdine on September 18, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 2
Volleyball
vs Pepperdine
W 3-2
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Thursday, November 29
Laie, HI
5:30 p.m.
Grand Canyon
3
vs
2
San Francisco State
Kristen Johannsen set a new school record with 13 block assists in Thursday's NCAA Tournament victory over San Francisco State.
Antelopes Block Their Way To NCAA West Region Semifinals
11/29/2012 10:02:00 PM | Volleyball
Johannsen Sets New Mark With13 Block Assists
Grand Canyon, ranked No. 20 in the nation and seeded second in the region, came back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat seventh-seeded San Francisco State 3-2 in an NCAA II Volleyball West Region Quarterfinal at Laie, HI, Thursday.
GCU (24-5) won the two-hour match by set scores of 25-20, 16-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-6.
It was GCU’s first NCAA tournament win since 1993. The Antelopes will take on third-seed CSU San Bernardino – a 3-2 winner of sixth-seeded Central Washington -- Friday at 8 p.m. Arizona time. GCU beat the Coyotes, the defending national runners-up, 3-1 in Phoenix on Sept. 1.
“Earning a chance to play in the post season and getting past the first round was one of our goals this season,” said GCU coach Kris Naber. “We weren’t looking ahead to the semifinals or championship. We can cross that (first-round win) off the list.”
It was GCU’s 24th win of the season, the most since winning 25 in 1999.
Thursday’s win over the Gators can be credited to a season-high 21 blocks and a school-record 13 block assists by junior Kristen Johannsen, who added a co-team high nine kills and seven digs. Senior Sydney McDowell had 10 block assists to go with nine kills.
The old block assist mark, 12, was set last season by current senior Shelby Taylor.
“Our block is what won the match tonight,” said Naber. “Our girls made good adjustments. We’ve relied on our block all year long and tonight it extended our season.”
GCU got off to a great start. It had nine-point leads seven times in the first set before holding on to a 25-20 win. The momentum San Francisco State gained late in the first set carried over to the next two, as the Gators dominated play and looked well on their way to advancing to the next round.
GCU trailed by three, 11-8, in the fourth, and, literally, blocked any chance of the Gators advancement. Starting with a double-block from McDowell and Johannsen, to cut it to 11-10, GCU scored five straight. Two double-blocks during the run gave the Antelopes a 13-11 lead. McDowell and Johannsen combined on another as did Caelen Hiller and Johannsen. Hiller kills wrapped up the set, giving GCU its first set-point at 24-22 and ending the game 25-23.
"We couldn't have done it without (McDowell) on offense and on defense," said Naber of the senior transfer who had her best match as an Antelope. "She was going to go out swinging."
It was all GCU in the fifth. Johannsen recorded her school-record block, with Hiller, to give GCU a 2-1 lead, which it would never give up. Seven of its 15 fifth-set points came on blocks.
"Give (Johannsen) credit," said Naber. "All the little adjustments she has made has paid off. It will give her a ton of confidence for Friday."
Senior setter Kristen Preach had a double-double with 32 assists and 16 digs. She also had four block assists. GCU had almost as many block assists (42) as it did kills (45). The Gators had 22 more kills (67) than the ‘Lopes, but not nearly as many blocks (21-3).
Sophomore libero Mackenzie Phelps had 34 digs, one of four to reach double figures in the category. Sara Bowden and Janae Gileshad 10 each.
The Antelopes took advantage of seven Gator service errors.
Lanie Muys, playing in three sets, had six block assists, including four in the fifth set.
Links to Friday’s live action, including live video, will be available on www.GCULopes.com. Fans can also follow via twitter @GCU_Lopes.
GCU 3, SFSU 2
GCU (24-5) won the two-hour match by set scores of 25-20, 16-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-6.
It was GCU’s first NCAA tournament win since 1993. The Antelopes will take on third-seed CSU San Bernardino – a 3-2 winner of sixth-seeded Central Washington -- Friday at 8 p.m. Arizona time. GCU beat the Coyotes, the defending national runners-up, 3-1 in Phoenix on Sept. 1.
“Earning a chance to play in the post season and getting past the first round was one of our goals this season,” said GCU coach Kris Naber. “We weren’t looking ahead to the semifinals or championship. We can cross that (first-round win) off the list.”
It was GCU’s 24th win of the season, the most since winning 25 in 1999.
Thursday’s win over the Gators can be credited to a season-high 21 blocks and a school-record 13 block assists by junior Kristen Johannsen, who added a co-team high nine kills and seven digs. Senior Sydney McDowell had 10 block assists to go with nine kills.
The old block assist mark, 12, was set last season by current senior Shelby Taylor.
“Our block is what won the match tonight,” said Naber. “Our girls made good adjustments. We’ve relied on our block all year long and tonight it extended our season.”
GCU got off to a great start. It had nine-point leads seven times in the first set before holding on to a 25-20 win. The momentum San Francisco State gained late in the first set carried over to the next two, as the Gators dominated play and looked well on their way to advancing to the next round.
GCU trailed by three, 11-8, in the fourth, and, literally, blocked any chance of the Gators advancement. Starting with a double-block from McDowell and Johannsen, to cut it to 11-10, GCU scored five straight. Two double-blocks during the run gave the Antelopes a 13-11 lead. McDowell and Johannsen combined on another as did Caelen Hiller and Johannsen. Hiller kills wrapped up the set, giving GCU its first set-point at 24-22 and ending the game 25-23.
"We couldn't have done it without (McDowell) on offense and on defense," said Naber of the senior transfer who had her best match as an Antelope. "She was going to go out swinging."
It was all GCU in the fifth. Johannsen recorded her school-record block, with Hiller, to give GCU a 2-1 lead, which it would never give up. Seven of its 15 fifth-set points came on blocks.
"Give (Johannsen) credit," said Naber. "All the little adjustments she has made has paid off. It will give her a ton of confidence for Friday."
Senior setter Kristen Preach had a double-double with 32 assists and 16 digs. She also had four block assists. GCU had almost as many block assists (42) as it did kills (45). The Gators had 22 more kills (67) than the ‘Lopes, but not nearly as many blocks (21-3).
Sophomore libero Mackenzie Phelps had 34 digs, one of four to reach double figures in the category. Sara Bowden and Janae Gileshad 10 each.
The Antelopes took advantage of seven Gator service errors.
Lanie Muys, playing in three sets, had six block assists, including four in the fifth set.
Links to Friday’s live action, including live video, will be available on www.GCULopes.com. Fans can also follow via twitter @GCU_Lopes.
GCU 3, SFSU 2
Kendra Potts Post Match Press Conference | GCU vs NAU 9.7.25
Monday, September 08
“You don’t know what it’s like.” | The Lope-a-Palooza Experience
Saturday, August 30
Bella Nunez & Sophia Parlanti Press Conference | GCU vs LIU | August 29, 2025
Saturday, August 30
Kendra Potts Press Conference | GCU vs LIU | August 29, 2025
Saturday, August 30